Luke’s POV
The morning air was cool, sharp, and brimming with the promise of chaos. I adjusted the lapels of my crisp suit, the polished leather shoes clicking against the pavement as I strode to the rental shop. In one hand, I carried a sleek briefcase, its weight a perfect prop for the role I was about to play—a lawyer with all the answers.
Gabriel had filled me in on Emmanuella: money was her god, her lifeblood. She would do anything for it. To win this game, I had to become the kind of man she’d listen to, someone who reeked of power and wealth.
“I’ll take this one,” I said, pointing to a black BMW.
“That’s $1,000 for 24 hours,” the rental guy replied without blinking.
Gabriel had paid me in advance, and I could cover the cost. Flashing the bills felt almost too easy. After settli
